It gives you blackberries and black currents and more on the nose and upfront. In the middle you find more intense fruit, and some spice, cedar, and tobacco. Very smooth tannin, and a lovely finish.

We matched it with rib eye steaks that had been seasoned with Morton rub and EVOO and grilled over charcoal and oak chips, baked potatoes, and salad with raspberry and hazelnut oil vinaigrette dressing. It was a great meal to end the week.

We popped the '01 tonight, and there was very little difference in this one from the '00. It was also the same price and alcohol level.

This time we matched it with a boneless sirloin seasoned with good ole salt and pepper and grilled over charcoal, and hickory chips; mashed potatoes; and sliced very ripe tomatoes with basil leaves, mozzarella slices, and lemon vinaigrette. It hardly gets any better.